Trick 4- Hacking & Webcam Hijacking
- Malware (Remote Access Trojan – RAT) is used to access victims’ webcams.
- Perpetrators record private moments without the victim’s knowledge.
- Victims receive blackmail messages, demanding explicit content or live interactions.
- Sometimes combined with ransomware, demanding money to regain device control.
- Used against high-profile individuals or unsuspecting victims.
4. Miss Teen USA Sextortion Case (2013)
Jared James Abrahams, a hacker, used malware to hijack webcams, secretly recording victims, including Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf. He then blackmailed them for more explicit material.
Steps:
- Malware Deployment – Abrahams used Remote Access Trojan (RAT) malware to infect victims’ computers, gaining full control over their webcams.
- Webcam Hacking – He remotely activated their cameras without permission, recording them in private moments. Victims had no idea their devices had been compromised.
- Blackmail Attempts – Once he obtained footage, he contacted victims and demanded more explicit content in exchange for not releasing the footage.
- Victim Resistance – Some victims refused to comply and instead reported the blackmail to authorities. This led to an FBI investigation into Abrahams’ activities.
- FBI Arrest & Sentencing – Abrahams was tracked and arrested, later sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his crimes.